Dear old Carman Hill

[EACHANN AN DOIRE]

Popped up the Carman Hill again on Sunday. Being a denizen of that quaint little hamlet on the banks of the River Leven known as “The Renton”, this is a regular stroll out for me – perhaps ten times a year. It’s ideal for clearing a hangover or working up an appetite for Sunday lunch.

For me the starting point is my back door. Today, as I often do, I just went up the hill to the iron fort at the top and back home again – this time to a fat boy breakfast about 11:30.

For visitors to the area the best starting point would be Renton Bowling Club, 200 yards from the railway station. Indeed you may wish to abandon the car and make a point of taking the train: get the Balloch train, alight at Renton and start walking. Options would be to carry on right across the hill to Cardross and have lunch there (there are two good pubs) then take the train home from Cardross station. Alternatively, when you get to the fort, you could continue towards Loch Lomond along the top of Bromley Muir then down the Stoney Mullen to Balloch – lots of places there for lunch. Then get the train home from Balloch. You see how clever this plan of mine is – no cars therefore an extra beer or two (for medicinal purposes) would be quite acceptable.

Whatever way you do it there are nice views back up the Clyde and down past Greenock towards Arran etc. If you want Loch Lomond you’ll have to head off in the Balloch direction for you won’t see the loch until you’re a good way along.
My wee local walk is 1 to 1.5 hours. You do your own thing. Here are a few photos from Sunday…..

5 MINS FROM THE START AND ALREADY VIEWS OPEN UP - TO DUMBUCK HILL AND THE CLYDE

...AND HERE ACROSS THE VALE OF LEVEN AND TO THE CONIC HILL IN THE DISTANCE

OVER TO GREENOCK

DOON THE WATER

OVER CARMAN RESERVOIR TO DUMBARTON ROCK & CASTLE, DUMBUCK QUARRY AND THE CLYDE